294 On Lightning Conductors to Powder Magazines. [No. 99. 



(No. 7.J 



Second Report from Dr. O'Shaughnessy to the Mili- 

 tary Board. 



To Captain Debude, 



Secretary to the Military Board. 

 Sir, — In compliance with your request that I should draw 

 up a further statement of my opinions regarding the attach- 

 ment of conductors to powder magazines, I have the honor to 

 submit the subjoined observations to the consideration of the 

 Military Board. 



2. I regret much, that it is impracticable to accord to me the 

 full measure of time desirable for the collection and accurate 

 examination of the numerous facts bearing on the question 

 now before us, to which I have obtained a clue, and many of 

 which corroborate powerfully the views I entertain. I regret 

 this the more, as I have the misfortune to differ in a slight 

 degree with the opinions Mr. Faraday has given, while those 

 which Mr. Daniell somewhat dictatorially professes, are widely 

 at variance with mine. 



3. I trust I may be pardoned by the Military Board for 

 here publicly placing on record a tribute of my deep respect 

 for Mr. Faraday's labors in electrical science. This depart- 

 ment of physics he has made peculiarly his own. My pre- 

 sumption would be measureless were I to depart from the 

 utmost modesty and hesitation, when I venture to persevere in 

 an opinion, from which he ever so slightly dissents. I seek 

 however for no more candid a judge than this illustrious philo- 

 sopher, and on once more referring the subject to his consi- 

 deration, I will bow to his contrary decision, with the full con- 

 viction that I had acted upon erroneous views. 



4. Mr. Daniell's facts and arguments will be treated ad valo- 

 rem in the subsequent observations. I have only to observe, 

 that in the further discussion of this question, it would be well 

 if he would condescend to use a more courteous tone, and to 



